Self-Tensioning Reel Seat

ABSTRACT

Described are self-tensioning reel seat ends for fishing reel seats. The described reel seats generally have a proximal end, a distal end, and a tensioning medium. The tensioning medium provides force between the proximal and distal ends of the reel seat end in order to securely seat a fishing reel in a reel seat by way of the tensioning provided by the tensioning medium. The described self-tensioning reel seat ends can be incorporated at one or both ends of a reel seat, and can be incorporated into fishing rods or poles, as well as in bows used for bow fishing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/341,417, filed May 25, 2016, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR ASA TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB)

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINTINVENTOR

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention.

The present invention is generally directed to quick release reel seatsfor use in fishing rods or poles and for attachment to bows, and is morespecifically directed to self-tensioning reel seats for fishing rods andbows.

2. General Background of the Invention.

Fishing reels routinely need replacement while fishing, whether due tocomponents of the reel breaking during use or the desire to change to adifferent type of reel. To date, such reel change out processes remaincumbersome, in part because tools are required to implement the changeout. As such, reel changing is time consuming, which takes time awayfrom the enjoyment of the sport.

Reel changes are exacerbated when it comes to bow fishing. This isbecause bow fishing is a night sport, performed under low-lightconditions, which hinders the ability of a fisherman to change fishingreels, given the mechanical rigors involved. As such, there is a needfor a simplified and reliable reel seat, having low manufacturing costs,that permits a user to quickly change reels under low lightingconditions, while securely affixing the fishing reel within the reelseat during use. Such reel seats are an improvement over the prior art.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,114,107 to Holding generally discloses a tubular fishingreel seat having a removable thimble that can be adjusted to accommodatevarious reel lengths. The thimble includes an aperture for receiving ascrew that is also threadably received by the tubular reel seat. Thereel seat is tightened by adjustment of the screw.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,908 to Hirsch generally discloses a tubular fishingreel seat having a pair of foot clamp members for securing the feet of afishing reel. One of the foot clamp members is received over a threadedportion of the tubular fishing reel seat, and can be adjusted throughthe actuation of a nut disposed behind the foot clamp member that isthreaded onto the tubular portion of the tubular fishing reel seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,479,952 to Matson generally discloses a tubular fishingreel seat having two reel jaws, each of which has an opening forreceiving a foot of a fishing reel. One of the reel jaws is adjustable,and includes an internal ratchet mechanism for adjusting the reel jaw.In order to move the reel jaw, a plunger must be depressed. Suchdepression of the plunger disengages the ratchet mechanism and allowsthe reel jaw to move. Once the reel jaw is manually adjusted to thedesired location, to secure the reel seat, the plunger is released topermit engagement of the ratchet mechanism. The plunger, when released,further applies pressure to the ratchet mechanism in order to maintainthe reel jaw at the desired location.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 2005/0053195 to Soderberg, which is acontinuation-in-part of the application that led to U.S. Pat. No.8,635,802, also to Soderberg, generally discloses a tubular fishing reelseat for use with a bow fishing bow. The disclosed reel seat affixes thefeet of a fishing reel between a rear bushing that is longitudinallystationery on the reel seat and a cap that is forward of the reel seat'srear bushing. The cap is removable from the reel seat and is affixed tothe reel seat by a threaded fastener, such as a screw, that passesthrough an axial borehole formed in the top region of the cap. Afterpassing through the axial borehole, the threaded fastener is secured ina threaded bore disposed in the reel seat, so as to tighten the cap.

In view of the above background, the need remains for improved andalternative devices for the quick, cost-effective, and hassle freereplacement of fishing reels in fishing poles and bows. The inventionsdescribed herein are addressed to these needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention relates to a self-tensioning reel seathaving an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end.The elongate body is configured to support the feet of a fishing reel,and also includes a first reel seat end disposed at the distal end ofthe elongate body that is configured to secure at least a portion of afoot of a fishing reel. The elongate body further includes a second reelseat end disposed at the proximal end of the elongate body. The proximalreel seat end further includes a cap, where the cap is configured tosecure at least a portion of a foot of a fishing reel, and is furtherconfigured to slide along the central axis of the elongate body. Theproximal reel seat end further includes a tensioning medium fortensioning the cap toward the first reel seat. The self-tensioning reelseat is capable of securely seating a fishing reel between the first andsecond reel seat ends by way of the tensioning provided by thetensioning medium.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a self-tensioning reel seatend for a fishing reel seat that includes a reel seat end having aproximal end, a distal end, and a tensioning medium. The tensioningmedium provides force between the proximal end and the distal end of thereel seat end, so as to securely seat a fishing reel in a reel seat byway of the tensioning provided by the tensioning medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the inner shaft depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the inner shaft depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first reel seat end depicted inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the first reel seat end depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is the opposite end view of end view depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the second reel seat enddepicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cap depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the cap depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to certain embodiments thereof andspecific language will be used to describe the same. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, such alterations, further modificationsand further applications of the principles of the invention as describedherein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in theart to which the invention relates.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the reel seat 1 of the invention. Asshown, the depicted reel seat 1 generally includes an elongate body 5having a proximal end 10 and a distal end 15. The distal end 15 of theelongate body 5 includes a generally cylindrical first reel seat end 20,and the proximal end 10 of the elongate body includes a generallycylindrical second reel seat end 30. Both the first and second reel seatends are generally disposed around portions of a generally cylindricalinner shaft 50. The inner shaft includes a flat area 55 to support thefeet of a fishing reel (not depicted). The inner shaft 50 also includesthreaded bores 57, 59 at each of its ends.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner shaft 50 of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1 is approximately 4.750 inches long. Moreover, each thread bore57, 59 is approximately 0.750 deep and consists of a 5/16-24 pitchthread that is machined into the centerline of the inner shaft 50. Asdepicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flat area 55 is approximately 3 inches inlength, and starts roughly 0.250 inches from the distal end of the innershaft. The flat area 55 is recessed into the inner shaft 50 by roughly0.130 inches such that it occupies a width of roughly 0.500 inches. Theflat area 55 can be made using an end mill or any similar technique.While the depicted embodiment shows a continuous flattened area, it isunderstood that the flat area need not be continuous, such as having twoflat spaces that support each foot of a fishing reel. Additionally, aflat area is not necessary in all configurations, such as where thediameter of the inner shaft is sufficient to support the feet of afishing reel or where some other method or means are employed forsecuring the feet of a fishing reel, such as a catch extending from thefirst reel seat end or cap. An alternative example of such method iswhere the first reel seat end 20 or the cap 40 includes means forindependently securing the feet of a fishing reel, such as where thefirst reel seat and the cap substantially envelope a portion of eachrespective end of the fishing reel feet. Additionally, theaforementioned configuration and dimensions of the inner shaft 50, flatarea 55, and thread bores 57, 59, can vary to suitable dimensions formaking a reel seat for use with bows or with salt or fresh water fishingrods or poles. As an example, the inner shaft 50 need not be generallycylindrical in nature and can occupy any suitable shape, such ascuboidal, square prism, or triangular prism, and the like, each of whichcan be solid or hollow.

Returning now to FIG. 1, distal end 15 of the depicted reel seat 1includes a first reel seat end 20. As depicted, the first reel seat end20 is attached to the inner shaft 50 by a bolt 22 that extends into thethread bore 57 after passing through a lock washer 23 and an aperture 25located in the head of the first reel seat end 20. In the depictedconfiguration of FIG. 1, the first reel seat end 20 is capable of beingadjusted axially around the center line of the inner shaft 50 beforesecuring the first reel seat end 20 in the desired location bytightening the bolt 22. In alternative embodiments, the first reel seatend 20 can be secured in non-moveable form to the inner shaft 50, suchas by mechanically pressing or pinning the first reel seat end 20 ontothe inner shaft 50, or by casting or forming the reel seat 1 as a solidpiece, as discussed herein.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the depicted first reel seat end 20 isgenerally cylindrical and has a length of approximately 1 inches and hasan outer diameter of approximately 1 inch. The first reel seat end hasan outer face that extends along its length. The outer face 26 of thefirst reel seat end 20 includes an anti-slip texture 27 that facilitatesthe gripping of the first reel seat end 20. Such texture can include anytexturing, such as can be made through routine knurling processes thatare known in the machine art. One such knurling pattern takes the formof a plurality of raised diamonds extending in an outward direction fromthe outer face 26 of the first reel seat 20.

As depicted in FIGS. 4-5, the aperture 25 located in the head of thefirst reel seat end 20 can be 0.3125 inches in diameter; however, anysuitable diameter can be used to accommodate the bolt 22 for securingthe first reel seat end 20 to the inner shaft 50, such as where the sizeand/or pitch of the threads in the thread bore 57 vary.

As depicted in FIG. 4, the first reel seat end 20 includes a recess thatextends from the proximal end 21 of the first reel seat end 20 toapproximately 0.250 inches from the distal end 28 of the first reel seatend 20. The depicted recess has a diameter of 0.625 and is formed withconventional machining techniques, such as end milling or drilling. Asdepicted in FIG. 1, this recess receives the inner shaft 50 so as toform a recess 19 for receiving the foot of a fishing reel.

As depicted in FIGS. 4 and 6, the first reel seat end 20 includes arecess 29 for receiving the top portion of a foot of a fishing reel.This recess 29 can be formed using an end mill, or other know methods.As depicted in FIG. 4, the recess starts at the proximal end 21 of thefirst reel seat end 20. The recess begins at a distance of roughly 0.075inches from the inner surface of the wall 18 of the first reel seat end20 and continues distally along the wall at an angle of 7 degrees asformed by the intersection of the inner wall 18 and the upper wall ofthe recess 17. The recess 29 can be formed using a 0.250 end mill, so asto provide the curved ⅛″ radius. The recess also has a width 16 thatbegins at the intersection of lines A and B in FIG. 6 and ending at theintersection of lines B and C in FIG. 6. The dimensions of such recess29 can vary, but preferably are sufficient to accommodate the foot ofvarious reel sizes and forms. Moreover, the dimensions of such recesscan be modified, with the goal being to sufficiently size the recess towork in conjunction with the flat area 55 of the inner shaft 50 tosecurely hold a reel foot in position once the cap 40 is tensionedagainst the opposing reel foot as discussed herein.

FIG. 7 depicts the base 31 of the second reel seat end 30. As shown, thebase is generally cylindrical and has a length of roughly 1 inch and hasan outer diameter of approximately 0.995 inches that extends along thelength to form an outer wall 32. The base 31 also includes a recess 38that starts at the distal end 35 of the base 31 and extends proximallyfrom the distal end 35 for roughly 0.650 inches. The recess 38 has adiameter of roughly 0.880 inches the forms an inner wall 33 of base 31.

The base 31 of FIG. 7, also includes a recess 37 at its proximal end 39that extends from the proximal end 39 of the base 31 to recess 38. Theproximal recess 37 receives the proximal end 51 of the inner shaft 50,which can be been knurled to facilitate the pressed joinder of the base31 with the proximal end 51 of the inner shaft 50. After pressing theinner shaft 50 into the base 31, the threaded bore 59 can be milled intothe inner shaft. In alternate embodiments, such milling can occur priorto joining the inner shaft 50 with the base 31. After pressing the innershaft 50 into the base 31, the interface 70 for attaching the reel seatto a bow is inserted in the threaded bore 59. After such interface isplaced, a set hole 34 is machined through the proximal end 39 of thebase 31, the interface 70, and the inner shaft. Thereafter, a pin ispressed into the set hole 34, so as to provide another source ofmaintaining the joinder of the base 31, interface 70, and the innershaft 50.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the base 31 and the inner shaft 50 form a space36 for receiving the depicted tensioning medium 45 (a coil spring). Thespace should be sufficient to let the coil spring slide in and out ofthe space 36. Alternatively, the coil spring can be attached to the base31 or inner shaft 50 so that it is not readily removable from the space36, such as by threads and the like. Additionally, the reel seat of theinvention can be formed with space 36, such as where the tensioningmedium rests on the distal face of the base 31.

Additionally, the aforementioned configuration and dimensions of thebase 31 and interface 70 can vary to provide suitable dimensions formaking a reel seat for use with bows or with salt or fresh water fishingpoles. For example, FIG. 1 employs a threaded interface 70 for attachingthe reel seat 1 to the stabilizer bore of a bow (not depicted). Once thereel seat is sufficiently threaded into the stabilizer bore, then thejam nut 71 is tightened against the bow frame to secure the reel seat 1in the desired rotational position. Alternatively, however, theinterface 70 can include a pin that locks into a port on the bow, suchas the stabilizer location, and that can be released by pulling atrigger or some similar method on the bow. Such design provides for thequick connection and release of the reel seat to the bow, and suchdesign should include a device for positionally locking the reel seat 1in the correct rotational configuration. Illustrative such quick releasemethods are further explained in U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,510 to Duke, whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 8 depicts the cap 40 of the second reel seat end 30. As depicted,the cap 40 is generally cylindrical and has an outer diameter of roughly1.125 inches. The cap 40 also has an outer wall 41 that is approximately1.750 inches long. The outer wall 41 of the cap 40 includes an anti-sliptexture 42 that facilitates the gripping of the cap 40. Such texture caninclude any texturing, such as can be made through routine knurlingprocesses that are known in the machine art. One such knurling patterntakes the form of a plurality of raised diamonds extending in an outwarddirection from the cap 40.

The cap 40 also includes a proximal recess 43 that starts at theproximal end 46 of the cap 40 and extends distally for roughly 1.325inches. The proximal recess 43 has a relatively continuous diameter of1.005 inches. The distal recess 44 of the cap can be formed prior toforming the recess 47 for receiving the top portion of a foot of afishing reel. Pursuant with this embodiment, the distal recess is formedby boring a centered hole of 0.625 inches in diameter from the proximalcap recess 43 to the distal end of the cap 48. As depicted in FIG. 1,the distal recess 44 receives the inner shaft 50 so as to form a recess49 for receiving the foot of a fishing reel.

Additionally, the aforementioned configuration and dimensions of the cap40 can vary to provide suitable dimensions for making a reel seat forusing with bows or with salt or fresh water fishing poles. For example,the diameter of the proximal recess 43 should be sufficient to enclosethe tensioning medium 45 and to freely slide over the outer wall of 32of the base 31. Additionally, the diameter of the distal recess 44should be sufficient to permit the distal recess 44 to freely slide overthe inner shaft 50.

In certain embodiments, the cap 40 can be releasably secured to the base31 so as to conceal the tensioning medium 45. In one embodiment, thedistal end 35 of the base 31 can include a lip having one or more gapsfor receiving a corresponding one or more tabs located at the proximalend of the cap 40. In other embodiments, the outer wall 32 of the base31 can include one or more J-type channels in the base 31 for received acorresponding one or more pins located at the proximal end of the cap 40and extending inwardly into the cap's proximal recess 43. Such J-typechannels should be long enough to permit the cap 40 to sufficientlyslide along the inner shaft 50.

As depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cap 40 includes a recess 47 forreceiving the top portion of a foot of a fishing reel. This recess 47can be formed using an end mill, or other known methods. As depicted inFIG. 8, the recess starts at the distal end 48 of the cap 40. The recessbegins at a distance of roughly 0.075 inches from the wall 53 of thedistal recess 44 and continues proximally along that wall at an angle of7 degrees as formed by the projected intersection of the walls 52 and53. The recess can be formed using a 0.250 end mill, so as to providethe curved ⅛″ radius. The recess also has a width 51 that begins at theintersection of lines A and B in FIG. 9 and ends at the intersection oflines B and C in FIG. 9. The dimensions of such recess 47 can vary, butpreferably are sufficient to accommodate the foot of various reel sizesand forms. Moreover, the dimensions of such recess can be modified, withthe goal being to sufficiently size the recess to work in conjunctionwith the flat area 55 of the inner shaft 50 to securely hold a reel footin position once the cap is tensioned against the opposing reel foot asdiscussed herein.

As depicted in FIG. 1, a tensioning medium 45 is disposed around theinner shaft 50 between the base 31 and the cap 40. As shown, thetensioning medium 45 can include a coil spring, but in alternateembodiments, the tensioning medium can include any medium that iscapable of exerting sufficient force distally along the inner shaft 50so as to securely hold the feet of a fishing reel into recesses 49 and19. The tensioning medium should have enough force to permit the reelseats of the invention to self-tension the fishing reel into the reelseat. Moreover, the reel seats of the invention provide for a quickrelease and tensioning of a reel seat so as to enable the quickreplacement of a reel seat under any conditions, such as low lightconditions. Additionally, the design of the reel seats of the inventiondoes not require the manipulation of sophisticated mechanical partsduring fishing reel replacement, which also provides for a quick andeasy manner of replacing fishing reels. Rather, the reel seats of theinvention are operated by manually manipulating the cap so as to seat orrelease a fishing reel in the reel seat. Once the fishing reel isseated, the cap is simply released by the user, and the reel seatautomatically provides sufficient tension to securely seat the fishingreel in the reel seat.

In certain embodiments, the tensioning medium can be secured to the cap,or alternatively can replace the cap, such as where the tensioningmedium is a soft polymer that will provide sufficient compression andtension to seat a fishing reel, while not creating a pinch hazard to theuser. In embodiments where the tensioning medium replaces the cap, thedistal end of the reel seat 1 would not require space 36, so themanufacture of the base 31 of the second reel seat end 30 could besimplified by taking the form of a stop for the tensioning medium, suchas a disc or pins extending from the inner shaft 50.

Illustrative tensioning mediums can be made of any suitable materials,such as various metals and alloys, including aluminum, steel, stainlesssteel, and the like, as well as various polymers, such as deformableplastics, or sponge like materials. Moreover, any type of spring can beused as a tensioning medium in the invention, and can be made of anaforementioned material, such as a metal or a plastic.

The other components of the reel seat 1 discussed above can also be madeof any suitable materials, such as metals and plastics. Suitable suchmetals include aluminum, steel, and stainless steel, and such metals maybe sprayed with coatings, such as powder coatings to enhance thematerial properties of the metals, such as to provide corrosionresistance. Suitable such polymers includes plastics, such as ABS(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate),HDPE (high density polyethylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), LDPE (lowdensity polyethylene), PS (polystyrene), PC (polycarbonate), and thelike.

Additionally, although the reel seat of the invention may be madethrough various machining techniques, such as end milling, knurling, andpress fitting, as discussed above, in other embodiments, other suitabletechniques may be used to form the reel seat. If a metal is used to makethe reel seat, such other manufacturing techniques can include the useof a casting process, such as investment casting, to cast all or a partof the reel seat components. If a polymer is used to make the reel seat,such other manufacturing techniques included extrusion and/or injectionmolding to make some or all of the reel seat components.

Although the reel seat of the invention can be used in bow fishing, itcan also be used in pole or rod fishing, in both fresh and salt waterapplications. FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of the invention used with afishing rod or pole. As depicted, the depicted reel seat 80 has a firstreel seat end 81 and a second reel seat end 82. The second reel seat endincludes a cap 83, and a polymeric tensioning medium 84 disposed withinthe second reel seat end 82. With respect to FIG. 10, the first reelseat end 81 and the second reel seat end 82 are disposed along a fishingrod or pole 85. The reel seat ends 81, 82 are secured to the fishing rod85 at an appropriate distance from one another so that the tensioningmedium 84 can provide sufficient tension to secure a fishing reel in thereel seat 80.

With respect to FIG. 10, such reel seat ends can be secured to thefishing rod 85 by any suitable technique. Illustrative techniquesinclude the use of a glue, such as an epoxy, to adhere the reel seatends 81, 82 to the rod 85. Alternate techniques include the use ofmechanical methods to secure the reel seat ends 81, 82 to the rod 85,such as the use of spring loaded pins in the reel seat ends 81, 82 thatengage in J-channels located in the rod 85.

As depicted in FIG. 10, each of the reel seat ends 81, 82, includes arespective recess 86, 87 for receiving the top portion of a foot of afishing reel. As illustrated, the bottom portion of such recess isformed by the body of the fishing rod 85. In an alternative embodiment,however, each recess 86, 87 can include a bottom portion that is used tosupport the feet of the fishing reel. In this embodiment, the recesscompletely envelops a portion of each foot of the fishing reel so as toprovide more support to the fishing reel.

FIG. 11 depicts the reel seat of FIG. 10 with the exception of the reelseat being mounted to a tube 88 that is then secured to a fishing rod.The reel seat ends 81, 82 can be mounted to the tube 88, at anappropriate distance from one another, using any suitable means, such asby gluing with an epoxy or a mechanical means discussed above. The tubecan be secured to the fishing rod 88 using any suitable means discussedabove. Finally, the portion or portions of the tube that will supportthe fishing reel can be flattened, as discussed above to provide morestable support to the feet of the fishing rod. In alternativeembodiments, each end of the tube can be secured to an end of the poleor rod, such as where the rod comes in two pieces, using suitableattachment techniques known in the art. In illustrative suchembodiments, the tube need not be hollow and may take the form of ashaft.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and thatall changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinvention are desired to be protected.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-tensioning reel seat, comprising: anelongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, whereinsaid elongate body is configured to support the feet of a fishing reel;wherein said elongate body further comprises a first reel seat enddisposed at said distal end of said elongate body, wherein said firstreel seat end is configured to secure at least a portion of a foot of afishing reel; wherein said elongate body further comprises a second reelseat end disposed at said proximal end of said elongate body, whereinsaid second reel seat end further comprises a cap, said cap configuredto secure at least a portion of a foot of a fishing reel, wherein saidcap is further configured to slide along the central axis of theelongate body, and wherein said proximal reel seat end further comprisesa tensioning medium for tensioning the cap toward the first reel seat,whereas said reel seat is capable of securely seating a fishing reelbetween said first and second reel seat ends by way of the tensioningprovided by said tensioning medium.
 2. The self-tensioning reel seat ofclaim 1, wherein said elongate body configured to support the feet of afishing reel, further comprises a flat surface capable of supporting thefeet of a fishing reel.
 3. The self-tensioning reel seat of claim 1,wherein said first reel seat end configured to secure at least a portionof a foot of a fishing reel, further comprises said first reel seat endhaving a recess for receiving the top portion of a foot of a fishingreel.
 4. The self-tensioning reel seat of claim 1, wherein said capconfigured to secure at least a portion of a foot of a fishing reel,further comprises said cap having a recess for receiving the top portionof a foot of a fishing reel.
 5. The self-tensioning reel seat of claim1, wherein said cap further comprises a distal end disposed around saidelongate body, said distal end of said cap further comprising a faceextending radially outward from said elongate body; wherein said capfurther comprises a cylindrical body extending proximally from saiddistal end of said cap, wherein at least a portion of said cylindricalbody of said cap is recessed for receiving at least a portion of saidtensioning medium.
 6. The self-tensioning reel seat of claim 5, whereinsaid recess in said cylindrical body of said cap is further configuredto receive at least a portion of said second reel seat.
 7. Theself-tensioning reel seat of claim 6, wherein the cylindrical body ofsaid cap further comprises an outward face having an anti-slip texturethat facilitates the gripping of said cap, so as to enable compressionof said tensioning medium.
 8. The self-tensioning reel seat of claim 7,wherein said anti-slip texture comprises knurling.
 9. Theself-tensioning reel seat of claim 8, wherein said knurling comprises aplurality of diamonds rising outwardly from said outward face of saidcylindrical body of said cap.
 10. The self-tensioning reel seat of claim1, wherein said tensioning medium comprises a material selected from thegroup consisting of: a metal and a polymer.
 11. The self-tensioning reelseat of claim 1, wherein said tensioning medium comprises a spring. 12.The self-tensioning reel seat of claim 1, wherein said proximal end ofsaid reel seat further comprises an interface for attaching saidself-tensioning reel seat to a bow.
 13. The self-tensioning reel seat ofclaim 12, wherein said interface for attaching said self-tensioning reelseat to a bow further comprises a threaded rod configured for attachingsaid self-tensioning reel seat to a stabilizer bore of a bow.
 14. Theself-tensioning reel seat of claim 12, wherein said interface forattaching said self-tensioning reel seat to a bow further comprises apin configured for attaching said self-tensioning reel seat to a quickrelease stabilizer bore of a bow.
 15. A self-tensioning reel seat endfor a fishing reel seat, comprising: a reel seat end having a proximalend, a distal end, and a tensioning medium, wherein said tensioningmedium provides force between said proximal end and said distal end ofsaid reel seat end, whereas said reel seat end is capable of securelyseating a fishing reel in a reel seat by way of the tensioning providedby said tensioning medium.
 16. The self-tensioning reel seat end ofclaim 15, wherein said distal end further comprises an interface forattaching said self-tensioning reel end seat to a bow.
 17. Theself-tensioning reel seat end of claim 15, wherein said distal endfurther comprises an interface for attaching said self-tensioning reelseat end to a fishing pole.
 18. The self-tensioning reel seat end ofclaim 15, wherein said tensioning medium further comprises a coilspring.